Approval test method and an approval test system for a software-defined radio terminal, a software-defined radio terminal being certified by the approval test method, and an approval test apparatus for certifying the software-defined radio terminal

ABSTRACT

An approval test apparatus according to the present invention that perform an approval test for a software-defined radio terminal based on approval information for a representative terminal as a database. The radio terminal outputs a request signal of adding the wireless functions and identification information of the radio terminal. The approval test apparatus determines whether or not the approval is given to the radio terminal that has outputted the request signal and the identification signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of priority under 35USC § 119 toJapanese Patent Applications No. 2002261831, filed on Sep. 6, 2002, theentire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a type approval test method anda type approval test system for a software defined radio terminal, asoftware defined radio being certified by means of the type approvaltest method, and an type approval test apparatus for certifying thesoftware defined radio terminal.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] In order to use a wireless terminal such as a cellular phone, aPHS (Personal Handyphone System) and a wireless Local Area Networkterminal regulated under IEEE802.11, a testing organization or amanufacturer has to perform a type approval test for certification ofthe wireless terminal in accordance with the Telecommunication BusinessLaw. In such approval test, it is impossible to test all of themanufactured wireless terminals. Therefore, in such approval test, oneterminal is used as a representative terminal on behalf of the same kindof terminals having same functions and similar structure, and thisrepresentative terminal is inspected. By testing only the representativeterminal, the certification is given to each of the same kind ofterminals that may have a same model number as the representativeterminal.

[0006] Recently, a software-defied radio has been introduced. Thesoftware-defined radio allows a single device to adapt to differentcommunications environments and communication systems by selecting themost appropriate protocol and frequency needed for a link. Thesoftware-defied radio works much like desktop computing, where a singlehardware platform can carry out many functions based on the softwareapplications loaded. The software-defied radio uses software to performradio-signal processing functions instead of using resistors,capacitors, feedback loops, or application-specific integrated circuits.

[0007] In the near future, a wireless terminal which adopts thesoftware-defined radio (hereinafter referred to as “software-definedradio terminal”) using a programmable hardware and softwarecorresponding to each of wireless communication systems, for example,GSM, W-CDMA (UMTS), wireless local area network regulated under IEEE802.11, installed in the hardware will be developed by a plurality ofvendors. Users may use combinations of these hardware and software.

[0008] In the conventional approval test method, every time when newsoftware is downloaded, it will be necessary to take the terminal to thetesting organization and perform the approval test for thecertification. Because of this, advantageous effect of thesoftware-defined radio in which it is possible to easily performaddition or deletion of the communication system is remarkably spoiled.

[0009] The approval test method for the software-defined radio terminalis disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication Laid-Open No.252598/2002. This publication discloses a technique in which a result ofthe approval test for a representative terminal is transmitted to theother terminal having the same function.

[0010] However, even in the same kind of terminal, the version of theloaded software may be different for each terminal. The kinds of theloaded software may also be different for each terminal even if the kindof terminals is the same. Therefore, it may be improper to transmit thetest result of the representative terminal to the other terminals havingthe same functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a an approvaltest method and an approval test system for a software-defined radioterminal, a software-defined radio terminal being certified by theapproval test method, and an approval test apparatus for certifying thesoftware-defined radio terminal capable of simplifying processingprocedure of the approval test of the software-defined radio terminal.

[0012] In order to achieve the foregoing object, an approval test methodfor a software-defined radio terminal, comprising:

[0013] receiving a request signal from said software-defined radioterminal requesting an addition of a wireless function;

[0014] receiving identification information of said software-definedradio terminal;

[0015] determining upon the reception of the request signal whether ornot to give a type approval certificate to the software-defined radioterminal based on a content of a database including approval informationof a representative terminal whose configuration of hardware is same assaid software-defined radio terminal; and

[0016] transmitting a result of the determination to saidsoftware-defined radio terminal.

[0017] Furthermore, an n approval test system comprising:

[0018] a software-defined radio terminal; and

[0019] an type approval test apparatus which executes an approval testfor said software-defined radio terminal requesting a addition of awireless function,

[0020] wherein said software-defined radio terminal comprising a signaloutput unit which outputs both a request signal of the addition of thewireless function and identification information of the software-definedradio terminal;

[0021] said test apparatus comprising:

[0022] a database which includes approval information for arepresentative terminal whose configuration of hardware is same as saidsoftware-defined radio terminal;

[0023] an approval determination unit which determines whether or notthe approval is given to said software-defined radio terminal based on acontent of the database; and

[0024] a determination result transmitter which transmits thedetermination result of the approval determination to saidsoftware-defined radio terminal.

[0025] Furthermore, an approval test system having a software-definedradio terminal and an type approval test apparatus comprising:

[0026] means for receiving a request signal from said software-definedradio terminal requesting an addition of a wireless function at saidtest apparatus;

[0027] means for receiving identification information of saidsoftware-defined radio terminal at said test apparatus;

[0028] means for determining upon the reception of the request signalwhether or not to give an type approval certificate to thesoftware-defined radio terminal based on a content of a databaseincluding approval information of a representative terminal whoseconfiguration of hardware is same as said software-defined radioterminal at said test apparatus; and

[0029] means for transmitting a result of the determination to saidsoftware-defined radio terminal at said test apparatus.

[0030] Furthermore, a software-defined radio terminal capable of addingand deleting a wireless function, and requesting a type approvalcertificate to an approval test apparatus comprising:

[0031] a transceiver which transmits and receives a wireless signal;

[0032] a signal processor which modulates and demodulates the wirelesssignal; and

[0033] a transmitting and receiving controller which controlstransmitting and receiving of the wireless signal, having an ID storagewhich stores an inherent ID which identifies the software-defined radioterminal as it is, a system ID which indicates information relating tothe wireless function included in the software-defined radio terminal,and a configuration ID which indicates kinds of currently availablewireless function at said software defined radio terminal, and updatinga content in said ID storage in case said approval test apparatus hasapproved the software-defined radio terminal at a state of adding thewireless functions.

[0034] Furthermore, an approval test apparatus, comprising:

[0035] a database which stores approval information for a representativeterminal whose configuration of hardware is same a software-definedradio terminal requesting a type approval certificate to the testapparatus;

[0036] an approval determination unit which determines whether theapproval is given to said software-defined radio terminal based on saiddatabase, said software-defined radio terminal outputting both a requestsignal for adding a wireless functions and identification information ofsaid software-defined radio terminal, and outputs the determinationresult to said software-defined radio terminal; and

[0037] an examination result determination unit which determines whetheror not the added wireless function works at said software-defined radioterminal based on a examination result transmitted from saidsoftware-defined radio terminal examining whether or not a loadedsoftware for added wireless function runs normally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038]FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are diagrams indicating schematicconfiguration of an example of an approval test system according to thepresent invention.

[0039]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one example of internalconfiguration of a wireless terminal MS.

[0040]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one example of internalconfiguration of an approval test apparatus 1.

[0041]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first processing procedure of theapproval test system.

[0042]FIG. 5 is a diagram describing update of the ID controller in thewireless terminal MS in the case of performing processings of FIG. 4 andadding the system C.

[0043]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second processing procedure of theapproval test system.

[0044]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third processing procedure of theapproval test system.

[0045]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fourth processing procedure of theapproval test system.

[0046]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a fifth processing procedure of theapproval test system.

[0047]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a sixth processing procedure of theapproval test system.

[0048]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a seventh processing procedure ofthe approval test system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Hereinafter, an approval test method and an approval test systemfor a software-defined radio terminal, a software-defined radio terminalbeing certified by the approval test method, and an approval testapparatus for certifying the software-defined radio terminal accordingto the present invention will be more specifically described withreference to drawings.

[0050]FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing schematic configuration of anembodiment of an approval test system according to the presentinvention. The approval test of FIG. 1A has a wireless terminal MS, abase station BS, an approval test apparatus 1, and a system supplyapparatus 10. The wireless terminal MS adopts the software-defined radiothat can work with several communication systems by adding and deletingwireless functions. The base station BS performs wireless communicationfor the wireless terminal MS. The approval test apparatus 1 performs atype approval test of the wireless terminal MS for the certification.The system supply apparatus 10 supplies software to perform wirelessfunctions executed by the wireless terminal MS.

[0051] In FIG. 1A, an example in which the approval test apparatus 1 andthe system supply apparatus 10 are provided as a unit including the basestation BS has been described. As shown in FIG. 1B, the system supplyapparatus 10 may be connected to the base station BS via a backbonenetwork 20. Or as shown in FIG. 1C, the base station BS, the approvaltest apparatus 1 and the system supply apparatus 10 may be connected tothe backbone network 20.

[0052]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of internalconfiguration of the wireless terminal MS. As shown in FIG. 2, thewireless terminal MS has a transceiver 2 which performs transmitting &receiving of an analog wireless signal and D/A conversion from a digitalsignal to the analog wireless signal or A/D conversion from the analogwireless signal to the digital signal, a baseband signal processor 3which performs signal processing of the digital signal, a controller 4which performs control such as the transceiver 2 and the baseband signalprocessor 3, and a storage 5.

[0053] The controller 4 has a transmitting & receiving controller 6which controls the transceiver 2, a baseband controller 7 which controlsthe baseband signal processor 3, and an ID controller 8 which managesvarious identification information of the wireless terminal MS. Theidentification information managed by the ID controller 8 includesterminal ID information to be transmitted by the wireless terminal MS.The terminal ID information includes an inherent ID which identifies theterminal, a system ID which identifies each wireless function held bythe terminal, and a system configuration ID which identifies the kindsof currently available wireless functions held by the terminal. Aninherent ID can be a “serial number”. Each wireless terminal has eachserial number.

[0054] The wireless function held by the wireless terminal MS includesnot only cellular systems, for example, a PDC (Personal Digital Cellularsystem) or a W-CDMA (UMTS), but also wireless LAN systems. The samecellular system or wireless LAN system can be added as a function of anoption. In case that such function needs the approval, the approval testis performed for such function.

[0055] When the wireless terminal MS adds or deletes the wirelessfunctions, the identification information managed by the ID controlleris automatically updated depending on the addition or deletion of thewireless functions. Update of the ID controller 8 may be performed byhand, instead of automatic update of the ID controller 8.

[0056] The ID controller 8 stores the information relating to wirelessfunctions held by the wireless terminals MS. Because of this, theapproval test apparatus 1 can grasp the system configuration of thewireless terminals MS by receiving the terminal ID information from thewireless terminals MS.

[0057]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one example of internalconfigurations of the approval test apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, theapproval test apparatus 1 has a transceiver 11 which transmits andreceives a wireless (or wired) signal for the base station BS, adatabase 12 which stores approval information of the representativeterminal, and a controller 13 which controls all the approval testapparatus 1. The database is a list contains a result of the typeapproval test of the representative terminals. The representativeterminal has already been approved on behalf of the wireless terminalswhose configuration of hardware is same as the representative terminal.The representative terminal is selected among the wireless terminalswhose model number is the same and whose hardware configuration is thesame.

[0058] The controller 13 has an approval determination unit 14 and atest result determination unit 15. The approval determination unit 14determines whether or not to approve the wireless terminal MS that hasrequested addition or deletion of the wireless functions by the requestsignal, based on the contents of the database 12. The unit 14 outputs aresult of the determination. The test result determination unit 15receives a result tested by the wireless terminal MS based on softwaredownloaded by the wireless terminal MS that has been approved, anddetermines whether or not the system normally operates based on thereceived result.

[0059] Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the wireless terminalMS communicates with the approval test apparatus 1 via the base stationBS, the wireless terminal MS may communicates with the approval testapparatus 1 without passing through the base station BS, or the wirelessMS may perform communicate with the approval test apparatus 1 via anapparatus except for the base station BS.

[0060] (First Procedure of the Approval Test)

[0061] It is assumed that the wireless terminal MS which possesseseither systems A or B (for example, a GSM and a W-CDMA) desires topossess a system C. The procedure of the approval in this case isdescribed in a flowchart as shown in as FIG. 4.

[0062] First of all, the wireless terminal MS which desires to adaptadditional communication system (the system C) transmits the terminal IDinformation including an acquisition request signal of the system C, aninherent ID which identifies its own terminal, a system ID whichidentifies the wireless functions held by its own terminal, and a systemconfiguration ID which indicates the kinds of currently availablewireless functions held by its own terminal (step S1). The base stationBS transmits the received terminal ID information to the approval testapparatus 1 (step S2).

[0063] Subsequently, the approval test apparatus 1 checks the terminalID information with information in the database 12 (step S3). Theapproval test apparatus 1 determines whether or not the informationcorresponding to the received terminal ID information is stored in thedatabase 12 (step S4). As mentioned above, the approval information forthe representative terminal is stored in the database 12. The approvalinformation for the representative terminal is the result of theapproval test for the representative terminal. The approval testapparatus 1 realizes the model number from the terminal ID informationtransmitted from wireless terminal MS since the terminal ID informationincludes the inherent ID of the wireless terminal MS. It is easy to findthe model number from the serial number (inherent ID) of the wirelessterminal MS. The test apparatus 1 selects the representative terminalhaving the realized model number. The test apparatus 1 also realize thedesired system (in this case, system C), present available system (inthis case system A and B) from the system ID and configuration of thesystem (in this case combination of system A and B) from the systemconfiguration ID. The test apparatus check the database and search forthe result of the approval test for the selected representative terminalwith system A, B and C. If the database shows that the approval test forthe representative terminal possessing system A, B and C, the wirelessterminal MS can be approved.

[0064] If the information corresponding to the received terminal ID isnot stored in the database 12, the signal, which indicates the wirelessterminal MS is not approved is transmitted via the base station BS (stepS5). If the information is stored in the database 12, the signal, whichindicates the wireless terminal MS is approved is transmitted to thebase station BS (step S6).

[0065] Upon the reception of such signal, the base station BS transmitssoftware for adapting to the system C (including the system ID of thesystem C) to the wireless terminal MS (step S7). In the step S7, thesoftware may be forcedly transmitted from the base station BS to thewireless terminal MS. Or the wireless terminal MS may access the basestation BS in order to request download of the software for the systemC.

[0066] The wireless terminal MS decompresses the loaded software ifnecessary when the software for the system C is acquired, and proceedsto a test mode (step S8). The test includes whether or not the softwarefor the system C can be normally acquired and whether or not electricproperties such as a frequency of the system C and transmission powerare normal. The test may also include that whether or not the downloadedsoftware runs normally at the terminal MS.

[0067] After the test is finished, the wireless terminal MS transmitsthe test result to the approval test apparatus 1 via the base station BS(step S9). The approval test apparatus 1 analyzes the test result (stepS10), and transmits a signal indicating that the system C is not allowedto use in the wireless terminal MS if it is determined that the wirelessterminal MS does not normally operate (step S11). On the other hand, ifit is determined that the wireless terminal normally operates in systemC, both a signal indicating that the system C is allowed to use and thesystem configuration ID indicating the system configuration of thewireless terminal MS are transmitted to the wireless terminal MS via thebase station BS (step S12). After then, the wireless terminal MS cantransmit and receive the wireless signal for the base station BS byusing the system C (step S13).

[0068]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing update of the ID controller 8 in thewireless terminal MS in the case of adding the system C. Before addingthe system C, the ID controller 8 has held system IDs (S_A, S_B) forsystems A and B and system configuration ID (S_1). By adding the systemC, the system ID (S_C) for the system C is added, and the systemconfiguration ID is updated to S_2.

[0069] As described above, according to the first processing procedureshown in FIG. 4, when the wireless terminal MS desires addition orelimination of wireless functions, the wireless terminal MS requests theapproval test to the approval test apparatus 1 over the radio. If it isapproved, desirable software is acquired over the radio. It is possibleto simplify qualification procedure in the case of adding or deletingthe wireless functions for the software-defined wireless terminal.

[0070] (Second Procedure of the Approval Test)

[0071] In a second procedure of the approval test system described asfollows, after the approval test apparatus 1 approved the wirelessterminal MS and then after a prescribed time period passed, the wirelessterminal MS acquires the software for the system C.

[0072]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second processing procedure of theapproval test system according to the present invention. Hereinafter,processings different from those of FIG. 4 will be mainly described.After the base station BS receives a terminal ID information from thewireless terminal MS, the base station BS inquires at the wirelessterminal MS about whether or not it acquires the software for the systemC at once (step S23). In reply to this inquiry, it is assumed that thewireless terminal MS replies to acquire the software afterward (stepS24).

[0073] Such an inquiry is performed when propagation environment ofradio wave is not good in periphery of the wireless terminal MS atpresent time, or when the wireless terminal MS is performing the otherprocessings.

[0074] In this case, if the approval test apparatus 1 approves thewireless terminal MS, the base station BS transmits key informationindicating approval of acquisition of the software to the wirelessterminal MS, instead of transmitting the software for the system C tothe wireless terminal MS (step S29).

[0075] After then, the wireless terminal MS transmits an acquisitionrequest signal of the software, the key information for acquisition, andthe inherent ID of the terminal MS to the base station BS (step S30).

[0076] The base station BS confirms whether or not there is improprietyin the key information transmitted from the wireless terminal MS (stepS31). If there is not impropriety, the software for the system C istransmitted to the wireless terminal MS (step S33).

[0077] The wireless terminal MS performs decompression processing of thesoftware if necessary when the software for the system C is acquired,and enters a test mode in order to perform a test of the system C.

[0078] Thus, according to the second processing procedure, whenconvenient for the wireless terminal MS, the wireless terminal MS canacquire the software. Because of this, even if propagation delay ofradio wave is bad there is no likelihood for failing acquisition of thesoftware.

[0079] (Third Procedure of the Approval Test)

[0080] In a third embodiment of an approval test system described asfollows, the wireless terminal MS which cannot be approved as it is, isimproved so as to be able to be approved.

[0081]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third processing procedure of theapproval test system according to the present invention. Hereinafter,processings different from those of FIG. 4 will be mainly described. Asa result of confirming terminal ID information of the wireless terminalMS, when determined to be able to approve the wireless terminal MS, theapproval test apparatus 1 notifies the wireless terminal MS of conditionfor the approval (step S45). Here, the condition for the approval is,for example, to update the software to perform radio signal processingby system B or to possess the software for the system D.

[0082] In reply to this notification, the approval test apparatus 1 isnotified that the wireless terminal MS desires update of the softwarefor system B (step S46). In this case, the approval test apparatus 1admits software transmission of the system B for the base station BS(step S47). In reply to this; the base station BS transmits the softwareto the wireless terminal MS (step S48).

[0083] The wireless base station BS decompresses the software ifnecessary, enters the test mode (step S49), and transmits the testresult to the approval test apparatus 1 (step S50). The approval testapparatus 1 confirms the test result (step S51). If determined that thesystem B is not normally operated at the wireless terminal MS, use ofthe system B is disapproved (step S52). When determined that the systemB is normally operated, use of the system B is approved, and a systemconfiguration ID in the case of using the system B is transmitted to thewireless terminal MS (step S53). Subsequently, the wireless terminal MSacquires the software for the system C from the base station BS (stepS54).

[0084] The wireless terminal MS which has acquired the software for thesystem C enters the test mode by decompressing the system (step S55).The test result is transmitted to the approval test apparatus 1 via thebase station BS, and confirms whether or not the system C is normallyoperated at the wireless terminal MS (steps S56-S60).

[0085] Thus, according to the third processing procedure, even if thewireless terminal MS cannot be approved under the present circumstances,it is possible to approve the wireless terminal by improving thewireless terminal. Because of this, it becomes unnecessary to bring thewireless terminal MS to a service center and so on, thereby savinguser's labor.

[0086] (Fourth Procedure of the Approval Test)

[0087] A fourth processing procedure of an approval test systemdescribed as follows is a modified example of the third processingprocedure.

[0088]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fourth processing procedure of theapproval test system according to the present invention. Hereinafter,processings different from those of FIG. 7 will be mainly described InFIG. 7, if the software for the system B is upgraded, the wirelessterminal MS has been approved. In step S75 of FIG. 8, if the system B isdeleted, or the system D is possessed, the approval for the wirelessterminal MS is notified from the approval test apparatus 1 to thewireless terminal MS.

[0089] In reply to this notification, the wireless terminal MS deletesthe system B and the system ID (step S79), and notifies the deletion ofthe system B to the base station BS (step S80). In reply to thisnotification, the base station BS transmits the software for the systemC to the wireless terminal MS (step S81).

[0090] The base station BS performs decompression processings of thesoftware if necessary after receiving the software (step S82), andenters the test mode to test whether or not the system C is normallyoperated at the wireless terminal MS (step S83-S86).

[0091] Thus, according to the fourth processing procedure, even if thewireless terminal MS cannot be approved as it is, the procedures whichare necessary for the approval is notified from the approval testapparatus 1 to the wireless terminal MS over the radio. Because of this,it is possible to acquire the approval certificate without taking thewireless terminal to the service center and so on.

[0092] (Fifth Procedure of the Approval Test)

[0093] A fifth processing procedure acquires the software for the systemC from the other wireless terminal except for the base station BS.

[0094]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the fifth processing procedure ofthe approval test system according to the present invention.Hereinafter, processings different from those of FIG. 6 will be mainlydescribed. The flowchart of FIG. 9 has another wireless terminal MS2which provides the software, apart from the wireless terminal MS1 whichrequires acquisition of the software for the system C. That is, thewireless terminal MS1 acquires the software from the wireless terminalMS2, instead of the base station BS.

[0095] In step S96 of FIG. 9, when the approval test apparatus 1approves acquisition of the software for the system C required by thewireless terminal MS1, the approval test apparatus 1 transmits the keyinformation to the wireless terminal MS1 via the base station BS (stepS98).

[0096] Subsequently, the wireless terminal MS1 transmits an acquisitionrequest signal of the software to the wireless terminal MS2 (step S99).In reply to the signal, the wireless terminal MS2 provides the softwareto the wireless terminal MS1 (step S100).

[0097] The wireless terminal MS1 that has acquired the software for thesystem C transmits the system ID of the system C, the key informationtransmitted from the base station BS and its inherent ID (step S101).

[0098] The base station BS confirms whether or not the key informationis not illegal (step S102). If not illegal, the base station BSdecompresses the software of the system C acquired by the wirelessterminal MS2 if necessary, enters the test mode (step S104), andperforms the test of the system C (steps S105-S108).

[0099] Thus, according to the fifth processing procedure, a desirablesoftware is acquired from the other wireless terminal MS2 different fromthe base station BS. For example, when the wireless terminal MS1 possessa system of a cellular phone and a wireless LAN system, if status ofradio wave is not so much good, and status of radio wave of the wirelessLAN system is good, it is possible to transmit only a control signalthrough the cellular phone, and to transmit the software through thewireless LAN system. Therefore, it is possible to stably acquire thesoftware at high speed and to transmit the control signal even whileacquiring the software.

[0100] (Sixth Processing Procedure)

[0101] A sixth processing procedure acquires the software from variousrecording medias such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disc and a PCMCIA card,instead of the other wireless terminal MS.

[0102]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the sixth processing procedure ofan approval test system according to the present invention. Hereinafter,processings different from those of FIG. 9 will be mainly described.When the wireless terminal MS receives the key information for acquiringthe software for the system C (step S115), the wireless terminal MSreads out the software from the recording media such as the CD-ROM andinstalls the software to its own terminal (step S116). The subsequentprocessings are the same as the fifth processing procedure.

[0103] Thus, according to the sixth processing procedure, because thewireless terminal MS reads out the software for the system C fromvarious recording medias to install it, it is possible to stably add oreliminate the system at high speed.

[0104] (Seventh Processing Procedure)

[0105] An example in which although it has been impossible to approvethe qualification of the wireless terminal MS at first, it becomespossible to give a type approval certificate by updating the database 12of the approval test apparatus 1 afterward is shown in a seventhprocessing procedure.

[0106]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the seventh processing procedure ofthe approval test system according to the present invention.Hereinafter, processings different from those of FIG. 4 will be mainlydescribed. The approval test apparatus 1 picks up the wireless terminalscapable of being approved by update of the database 12 among thewireless terminals MS which has already performed requirement ofaddition or deletion of the system (step S135), and notifies theapproval to the wireless terminal MS (step S136).

[0107] The wireless terminal MS which desires acquisition of thesoftware for the system C among the notified wireless terminals MStransmits the terminal ID information including an acquisition requestsignal to base station BS (step S138).

[0108] The approval test apparatus 1 checks the terminal ID informationtransmitted from the wireless terminal MS with information of thedatabase 12 (step S139), and determines whether or not to give the typeapprove certificate (step S140). When giving the approval, the basestation BS transmits the software for the system C to the wirelessterminal MS (step S142), and the wireless terminal MS tests whether ornot the system C is normally operated at the wireless terminal MS (stepsS144-S148).

[0109] Thus, according to the seventh processing procedure, when it ispossible to give the approval to the wireless terminal MS by update ofthe database 12 of the approval test apparatus 1, the approval isnotified from the approval test apparatus 1 to the wireless terminal MS.Because of this, even if the wireless terminal MS does not inquire atthe approval test apparatus 1, it is possible to acquire the approval,thereby saving the labor of user of the wireless terminal MS.

What is claimed is:
 1. An approval test method for a software-definedradio terminal, comprising: receiving a request signal from saidsoftware-defined radio terminal requesting an addition of a wirelessfunction; receiving identification information of said software-definedradio terminal; determining upon the reception of the request signalwhether or not to give a type approval certificate to thesoftware-defined radio terminal based on a content of a databaseincluding approval information of a representative terminal whoseconfiguration of hardware is same as said software-defined radioterminal; and transmitting a result of the determination to saidsoftware-defined radio terminal.
 2. The approval test method accordingto claim 1, further comprising: loading a software for said additionalwireless function at said software-defined radio terminal in case ofreceiving the approval; examining whether or not the loaded softwareruns normally at said software-defined radio terminal; determiningwhether or not the added wireless function works based on theexamination result; and receiving identification information of theadded wireless function at said software-defined radio terminal.
 3. Theapproval test method according to claim 1, wherein said identificationinformation of the radio terminal includes an inherent ID whichidentifies said software-defined radio terminal, a system ID whichidentifies the wireless function included in said software-defined radioterminal, and a configuration ID which identifies kinds of currentlyavailable wireless function at said software-defined radio terminal. 4.The approval test method according to claim 1, further comprising:receiving information used for getting the approval in case that saidsoftware-defined radio terminal has been disapproved before; performinga process for getting the approval based on the received information atthe software-defined radio terminal; and determining whether or not togive the approval to said software-defined radio terminal based on theresult of said performance.
 5. The approval test method according toclaim 4, wherein said information used for getting the approval is atleast one of acquisition of new software and a partial deletion of thewireless function already acquired by said software-defined radioterminal.
 6. The approval test method according to claim 2, wherein thesoftware for the wireless function to be added at said software-definedradio terminal is loaded from a wireless radio terminal storing saidsoftware.
 7. The approval test method according to claim 2, wherein thesoftware for the wireless function to be added at said software-definedradio terminal is loaded from a recording media storing said software.8. The approval test method according to claim 1, further comprising:giving the type approval certificate to said software-defined radioterminal in case that a preparation for giving the approval is completedat the software-defined radio terminal which has been disapprovedbefore.
 9. An approval test system comprising: a software-defined radioterminal; and an type approval test apparatus which executes an approvaltest for said software-defined radio terminal requesting a addition of awireless function, wherein said software-defined radio terminalcomprising a signal output unit which outputs both a request signal ofthe addition of the wireless function and identification information ofthe software-defined radio terminal; said test apparatus comprising: adatabase which includes approval information for a representativeterminal whose configuration of hardware is same as saidsoftware-defined radio terminal; an approval determination unit whichdetermines whether or not the approval is given to said software-definedradio terminal based on a content of the database; and a determinationresult transmitter which transmits the determination result of theapproval determination to said software-defined radio terminal.
 10. Anapproval test system having a software-defined radio terminal and antype approval test apparatus comprising: means for receiving a requestsignal from said software-defined radio terminal requesting an additionof a wireless function at said test apparatus; means for receivingidentification information of said software-defined radio terminal atsaid test apparatus; means for determining upon the reception of therequest signal whether or not to give an type approval certificate tothe software-defined radio terminal based on a content of a databaseincluding approval information of a representative terminal whoseconfiguration of hardware is same as said software-defined radioterminal at said test apparatus; and means for transmitting a result ofthe determination to said software-defined radio terminal at said testapparatus.
 11. The approval test system according to claim 10, furthercomprising: means for loading a software for said additional wirelessfunction at said software-defined radio terminal in case of receivingthe approval; means for examining whether or not the loaded softwareruns normally at said software-defined radio terminal; means fordetermining whether or not the added wireless function works based onthe examination result at said software-defined radio terminal; andmeans for receiving identification information of the added wirelessfunction at said software-defined radio terminal.
 12. The approval testsystem according to claim 11, wherein said software-defined radioterminal outputs information relating to timing when saidsoftware-defined radio terminal loads said software for said additionalwireless function.
 13. The approval test system according to claim 11,further comprising: means for receiving information used for getting theapproval in case said software-defined radio terminal has beendisapproved before; means for performing a process for getting theapproval based on the received information at the software-defined radioterminal; and means for determining whether or not to give the approvalto said software-defined radio terminal based on the result of saidperformance at said test apparatus.
 14. The approval test systemaccording to claim 13, wherein said information used for getting theapproval is at least one of acquisition of new software and a partialdeletion of the wireless function already acquired by saidsoftware-defined radio terminal.
 15. The approval test system accordingto claim 11, wherein the software for the wireless function to be addedat said software-defined radio terminal is loaded from a wireless radioterminal storing said software.
 16. The approval test system accordingto claim 11, wherein the software for the wireless function to be addedat said software-defined radio terminal is loaded from a recording mediastoring said software.
 17. The approval test system according to claim10, further comprising: means for giving the type approval certificateto said software-defined radio terminal at the test apparatus in casethat a preparation for giving the approval is completed at thesoftware-defined radio terminal which has been disapproved before.
 18. Asoftware-defined radio terminal capable of adding and deleting awireless function, and requesting a type approval certificate to anapproval test apparatus comprising: a transceiver which transmits andreceives a wireless signal; a signal processor which modulates anddemodulates the wireless signal; and a transmitting and receivingcontroller which controls transmitting and receiving of the wirelesssignal, having an ID storage which stores an inherent ID whichidentifies the software-defined radio terminal as it is, a system IDwhich indicates information relating to the wireless function includedin the software-defined radio terminal, and a configuration ID whichindicates kinds of currently available wireless function at saidsoftware defined radio terminal, and updating a content in said IDstorage in case said approval test apparatus has approved thesoftware-defined radio terminal at a state of adding the wirelessfunctions.
 19. An approval test apparatus, comprising: a database whichstores approval information for a representative terminal whoseconfiguration of hardware is same a software-defined radio terminalrequesting a type approval certificate to the test apparatus; anapproval determination unit which determines whether the approval isgiven to said software-defined radio terminal based on said database,said software-defined radio terminal outputting both a request signalfor adding a wireless functions and identification information of saidsoftware-defined radio terminal, and outputs the determination result tosaid software-defined radio terminal; and an examination resultdetermination unit which determines whether or not the added wirelessfunction works at said software-defined radio terminal based on aexamination result transmitted from said software-defined radio terminalexamining whether or not a loaded software for added wireless functionruns normally.